Hello from Pastor Rick!

Greetings to you all on this beautiful New England Christmas Evening! What a wonderful Christmas Eve Service we had last night! Thank you to all that came, and to all that participated to make this years' service so extra special. And, what a wonderful snowy white Christmas we had this morning! God is good, and God is speaking to us today in so many wonderful ways. I believe He was speaking to us this morning...

Isaiah 1:8 tells us, "'Come now, let's settle this,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.'"Such a depth of truth, especially in light of the Christmas Story. Each of us are so very guilty of "sins like scarlet." We are in such drastic need of a real and serious Savior. In His birth, Jesus proclaims a way for mankind to be at peace with God. This morning's snowfall reminds us of just how clean and pure we have been made through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Thank you, "Immanuel-God with us!" Matthew 1:23

Psalm 51:7 tells us, "Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow." If Jesus was never born, there would have been no sacrifice available that would have fulfilled the need of our redemption. He alone owns the power, the authority, the ability to "purify" and "wash" us from our sins and our sinful nature. But in obedience, and sacrificially, He came just as the prophets said He would! And His atoning work, some thirty-three years after His birth, is certainly enough to make us "whiter than snow!" As I walked across the churchyard this morning, making fresh tracks in the newly fallen snow, I was reminded that with Jesus, "all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 Ours sins are covered over by His precious blood. Amen!

Revelation 1:14 tells us, "His head and His hair were white like wool, as white as snow. His eyes were like flames of fire." Wow! That sweet little baby in the manger in Bethlehem grew up, strong and steady, and became a Man, a Man without sin, that He might become sin for us, and crucify that sin on the Cross! 2 Corinthians 2:21. Yes, that sweet baby boy fulfilled His mission to offer Himself as an acceptable ransom for our sins. Mark 10:45, 1 Timothy 2:5-6. God then, "raised Him from the grave" Acts 2:24,32 and now He sits in victory "at the right hand of God" Mark 16:19. And He will come again to judge "both the living and the dead" 2 Timothy 4:1. Can you imagine? This Christ Child, now in all His glory, settling all accounts? Restoring Divine order? Exercising His right as Judge of the world?? Acts 10:42. Yes, even this truth is displayed in the beauty and ferocity of a snowstorm! "His head, His hair, His eyes...as white as snow, like flames of fire!"

Oh, Merry, Merry Christmas to one and all! May the deep reality of the event settle upon our hearts and souls this day and season as never, ever before! How we need a Holy Spirit reminder of the spiritual and eternal implications of Jesus' Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection, Ascension, and soon Coming Again!

Philippians 2:6-11

"Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him

to the place of highest honor

and gave him the name

above all other names,

that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth

and under the earth,

and every tongue confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father."

May the Lord bless you, your loved ones, and family members during this special time. Please know that you are loved by a wonderful, caring, omnipotent Lord who constantly has you on His mind. You are also loved by your Pastor, Pastor's wife, and Pastor's family so very, very much. Behind Jesus, you remain our greatest joy and our greatest reward! 1 Thessolonians 2:19